Zoology BSc (Hons)

From world-class zoos to wildlife in Africa, you’ll explore and understand the lives of animals on this Cambridge-based course. Take part in cutting-edge research in our specialist labs, closely linked to Cambridge University, and study animal behaviour in marine and terrestrial systems in the field. Recognised by the Royal Society of Biology, this course offers an optional placement year, giving you both the scientific training and practical skills for a career in zoos, wildlife conservation or environmental consultancy.If you’re interested in a career exploring and understanding the lives of animals, you’ll be in good company – alongside Charles Darwin, Dian Fossey, Jane Goodall and David Attenborough.Zoology is closely connected to subjects such as cell biology and genetics. You could choose to specialise in areas such as animal behaviour, wildlife biology or ecology and conservation.Field work is an important part of zoology. It’s a practical subject and we’ll give you plenty of opportunities to learn and practise both in the lab and the field. In your second year you’ll take a week-long field trip to north Devon to experience both marine and terrestrial zoology, the costs of which are included in your course fees. On our optional field trips you might experience rutting red deer on the island of Rum; marine biology in Scotland; world-class zoos in the Netherlands; wildlife and ecology in Africa; and diving and marine biology overseas. You’ll need to pay for these optional trips.Cambridge is becoming a world centre for wildlife conservation, with Fauna and Flora International, Birdlife International and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre based here. You’ll have opportunities to attend lectures and visit specialist museums and libraries in the city. If you’re interested in captive animal behaviour, you can access the facilities at the College of West Anglia, Cambridge.Our three year degree is recognised by the Royal Society of Biology's degree-recognition scheme.